'THE EDGE' (COMING SOON!!) |
Chase Utley (PHI) – Not unlike Joe Mauer at the catcher slot, Utley came into last year as a question mark as he was expected to miss Opening Day after off-season hip surgery. But Utley was available from Day 1 and once again wound up being the best fantasy second baseman. The real surprise was his stolen bases jumped up from 14 to 23. Utley's batting average has taken a dip the last couple of years but other than that is still good for 100+ runs, 30 homers, and 100 RBI near the top of a powerful Philly lineup.
Ian Kinsler (TX) – The main rip on Kinsler is his batting average, which plummeted from .319 to .253 last year, which made him somewhat of a disappointment – of most concern is that Ian only hit .219 away from his home park However Kinsler also became just the second second baseman ever to be a 30/30 man and has also gone over 100 runs two years in a row. If he can fix the average I'm comfortable ranking Kinsler #2.
Brian Roberts (BAL) – If you like a sure 100+ runs and 20+ stolen bases along with a rock solid batting average and a solid seven-year resume, then you should be happy with Roberts. An improving Oriole lineup should keep his run total up, but Roberts has never been a big home run guy and the SB's are slowly trending downward. You likely won't see too much better than from previous years with Roberts.
Robinson Cano (NYY) – What do you know??? My only problem with Cano is you kind of look for stolen bases from the top players at the position. Well never mind the steals, Cano is turning into an elite slugger at the position who also hit .320, scored 103 times and was also an ironman appearing in 161 games. At age 27 there is nothing not to like near the top of the order for the World Champions.
Dustin Pedroia (BOS) – It isn't like he's exactly a secret playing for the Red Sox, but in the runs department Pedroia will be among the MLB leaders (118 and 115 last two years) and also hits .300+. The power numbers are not spectacular and while 20 stolen bases in each of the past two years is not bad, he's not exactly a difference makere there. All of that said, you still will not go wrong with Pedroia as your second baseman.
Aaron Hill (TOR) – Perhaps the biggest surprise in fantasy baseball period last year, Hill ended up leading everyone at the position with 36 HR and 108 RBI, although it took 682 AB's to do it. Although you cannot help but like the AB volume, Hill also only walked 42 times. My guess is that Hill's BA (.286 last year) will slip a little at he will fall more into the 25 HR/90 RBI range. Hill may have driven his value up too far in auction formats. 
Brandon Phillips (CIN) – This is actually not bad at all for #7, as Phillips as recorded at least 20 HR/20 SB in each of the last three seasons. The average has been about so-so (think .280) and I would like to see him score a few more runs (80 and 78 last two years). Phillips is still only 28 and may be someone slightly undervalued on draft day.
Ben Zobrist (TB) – It says something about the American League East to see all five starting second basemen ranked within the top eight. As is the case with Aaron Hill, Zobrist came from nowhere contributing in all five categories (.297/91/27/91/17). Zobrist was not a big power guy in the minors, so it remains to be seen if last year's power surge proves to be an anomaly. Just be sure to target landing one of the top-eight at this position, there's a bit of a dropoff after this point.
Jose Lopez (SEA) – Has slowly turned into a pure power hitter and you have to like .272/25/96 and hitting third in the Seattle ineup. Lopez also turns 26 this year so he there may even be a little more upside. Lopez's days at second may be numbered though, he saw 16 games at first last year and the Mariners are talking about moving him there full-time eventually.
Gordon Beckham (CWS) – He comes into this season only eligible at third base, where he played 100+ games last year. But off-season moves by GM Kenny Williams cleared Beckham (who was originally a shortstop) to be the starting second baseman. With 14 HR/63 RBI in two-third's of a season last year, Beckham has monster potential as a MI this year. Keep the position change in mind on draft day, which is set in stone.
Howie Kendrick (ANG) – Howie is in the post-sleeper category. Kendrick has had a couple of false starts in the bigs, and was sent down for a few weeks during 2009. However Kendrick put it together down the stretch, hitting .350 final two months of the season. His total numbers for 105 games project to 90+ runs and 90+ RBI. 
Dan Uggla (FL) – If you like 30 HR/90 RBI you will be happy with Uggla, that's basically been his numbers the last two years. However do not expect much more than .250 in the batting average department. The Marlins did re-up Uggla to the tune of $7.8 million for this season, but he could also become trade fodder at some point.
Rickie Weeks (MIL) – The biggest roll of the dice at this position this year. Through one-quarter of the 2009 season Weeks not only was hitting .272 (by far a career high), but was also on pace for 112 runs/36 HR/96 RBI. But then Weeks tore the tendon on his left wrist, ending his season. More alarmingly Weeks sustained the same injury in the other wrist earlier in his career. Obviously one more injury like this would put his career in doubt, and one would like to see if he can keep the average up for an entire season. This is truly a crossroads for Rickie, this is a player to closely watch during the spring.
Ian Stewart (COL) – By playing 21 games at second last year, Stewart is eligible here as well as third base. Has as much power as about anyone currently eligible at the position, but also is among MLB leaders in strikeouts per at-bat. Then again, crazy numbers are always possible in Colorado. Placido Polanco (DET) – Biggest attribute has always been batting average (.341 as recently as 2007). Polanco has slipped a little in that category but I like him a little more moving back to Philadelphia this year, where he is expected to play third base. If used at the top of the order, he's a good bet for 100+ runs in that lineup.
Asdrubal Cabrera (CLE) – Had a nice season last year, but at age 24 there is always the possibility that he could explode statistically. As it stands right, expect a .300 average and 20+ steals if everything breaks right. Casey McGehee (MIL) – Not considered a highly touted prospect, McGehee got a spring invite from the Brewers and hit his way onto the team during the exhibition season, and got his shot only after 2B Rickie Weeks got hurt and 3B Bill Hall played his way out of the lineup. McGehee wound up being one of the best waiver wire gems of the season, hitting .301 with 16 HR/66 RBI in just 355 AB's. However the book on how to handle him will now be out, and Casey won't be sneaking up on anyone this year, so I'm not sold on whether he can do it again. 
Martin Prado (ATL) – Someone you can plug in at different positions (1B/2B/3B) and look for a .300 average at the very least. Prado started showing some power last year (11 HR) and is pretty secure as the A-T-L's second baseman. Clint Barmes (COL) – If you like home runs, Barmes exploded in that department last year with 23 bombs, but like most Rockies players, his home/road splits are atrocious, only hitting .207 away from Coors Field last year.
Orlando Hudson (MN) – Recently signed with the Twins, which gives him value if he hits #1 or #2. Even though named an All-Star last year, Hudson only really excels in the batting average department.
Skip Schumaker (STL) – An outfielder by trade, Schumaker wound up becoming the Cards second baseman last year. As long as he continues to hit in the .300 range and remains a starter, he will continue to pile up runs batting ahead of Pujols/Holliday. 
Felipe Lopez (FA) – Sure he does not hit homers or steals like he did with Cincinnati a few years back, but it's still hard to fathom why Lopez is generating little interest on the free agent market. Lopez has actually been pretty strong for the last year and a half, scoring 88 times and hitting .310 splitting time between the D-Backs and Brewers last year. Felipe will probably end up signing for less than he may be looking for, with Colorado and St. Louis mentioned as destinations. Lopez suddenly becomes desirable if he lands with the Rockies and sees significant time. Macier Izturis (ANG) – You are covered at both infield spots with Izturis, who recently inked a 3 year/$10 million extension. Izturis helps some with the batting average along with a few steals. Izturis is a utility man, so playing time is not guaranteed.
Scott Sizemore (DET) – I start to hit on some of the prospects now, and the Tigers off-season actions (letting go of Polanco and not pursuing Orlando Hudson) suggest that Sizemore could be the Opening Day starter. I would feel a little more confident with Sizemore had he not fractured his ankle playing in the Arizona Fall League, but is expected to be ready for Spring Training. Between AA and AAA Sizemore hit .308 with 17 HR and 21 SB last year. Scott is NOT related to the Cleveland outfielder.
Kelly Johnson (AZ) – Johnson had never been horrible with the Braves, but ended up losing his job to Martin Prado nonetheless. I like his landing spot in Arizona and remember he did hit 16 home runs a few years back.
Luis Castillo (NYM) – Doesn't have the wheels he used to, but is still good for about 20 steals and has hit .300 in two of the last three campaigns. Luis run total will pick up if the likes of Carlos Beltran and David Wright can drive him in with more consistency.
Mark Ellis (OAK) – Pretty well established baseline here, if healthy Ellis is good for about 15-20 home runs in a lousy hitters park and in a lousy lineup. Ellis does steal a few bases, but has had trouble staying healthy the last two years.
Kaz Matsui (HOU) – Still also produces about 20 SB's per season, but his batting average started to go south last year and is entering the final year of his contract. If Houston is out of contention, look for Kaz to be dealt to a contender that needs a veteran bench presence.
Juan Uribe (SF) – Caught fire late in the 2009 season, hitting 12 HR in his last 44 games, which helped earned him a one-year/$3.25 million contract to stay with the Giants another year. Uribe is eligible at second, third and short. Willy Aybar (TB) – Projecting his stats through 296 AB's lasst year, Aybar would had flirted with 25 HR's in a full-time role last year. How ever batting average is a negative and Aybar is not considered much more than a utility man.
Akinori Iwamura (PIT) – An early season knee injury eventually cost Akinori his starting job as Ben Zobrist basically Wally Pipp'ed him out of town and making him expendable. Iwamura score 91 runs for the pennant winning Rays in 2008, he will be hard pressed to do that with the Pirates. Eric Young (COL) – I believe that many fantasy leagues are decided by finding that one player who may come out of nowhere to put up sicko stolen base totals. This is why I will target EY Junior in drafts this year, as he has averaged 60+ steals in each of his last four seasons in the minors. Definitely worth a roll of the dice to find out if Young will see significant player time, which would be even more golden playing in Colorado.
Adam Kennedy (FA) – Is coming off a career year that say him hit 11 HR and steal 20 bases in 129 games with Oakland but was not a hot property in the free agent market. The Orlando Hudson signing with Minnesota finally got the dominos rolling, and Kennedy quickly inked w/Washington
Chris Getz (KC) – Stole 25 bases in just 107 games last year but for some reason fell out of favor with manager Ozzie Guillen, and the White Sox ended up curiously trading him within the division. Getz never completely won the 2B job in Chicago and now has to battle Alberto Callspo for time with the Royals. Freddy Sanchez (SF) – A National League batting champ from a few years back, and even in his best days was not much in the power or speed departments. Sanchez is the projected starter with the Giants heading into the season. Alberto Collapso (KC) – Was the Royals starting second baseman last year, and did hit .300 in 156 games while hitting 11 homers. But Callaspo is not a speed guy and now Chris Getz is an option. Also runs and RBI opportunities will remain limited with the perennially lowly Royals. Luis Valbuena (CLE) – Cleveland gave Valbuena a nice long look last year giving him 368 at-bats and hitting 10 home runs. However Valbuena only hit .205 v. lefties so he may end up being platooned. Also eligible at short. Eugenio Velez (SF) – Started off awful last year which earned Velez a brief demotion to AAA. Velez's biggest value lies in stolen bases (26 in 560 AB's last two years). Velez projects as more of a utility type at this point and is also eligible in the outfield. Jason Nix (CWS) – Take his 12 HR/10 SB in 255 AB's and that would project out to 20-20 over a full season. Unfortunately Nix did not hit for much last year and is now behind Gordon Beckham at second, which will leave Nix scrambling to find at-bats, probably at a variety of positions.
Ronnie Belliard (LA) – Journeyman had a strong final two months of the '09 season, and returns to LA with a non-guaranteed incentive-based contract that may possibly be dictated by his reporting weight. At best I don't see Ronnie getting too much more than 300 AB's. 
Jeff Baker (CHC) – Will battle Mike Fontenot to be the Cubs second baseman this year after hitting .300 the last two months of '09.. Baker did hit 12 HR in 300 AB's with the Rockies a couple years back. Jeff Keppinger (HOU) – With 22 games at the position last year, Keppinger is eligible here as well s third base. If in a league with daily transactions, note that Keppinger is .341 lifetime v. left-handers (370 AB's). Alexi Casilla (MN) – See him ranked much higher on other draft boards but I will pass. It took his game-winning single in the one-game playoff v. Detroit to finally get Casilla over the Mendoza line for the season. Alexi still remains the Twins best option at second, but wouldn't put too much trust on someone as cold as the April Twin Cities weather.
David Eckstein (SD) – As long as he's healthy, he will be starting at second for the Padres, who re-upped him for another season late last season. But you will find better options/potential with another option elsewhere – the Padres just like the cheap price tag. Ryan Roberts (AZ) – The D-Backs kicked the tires with him late last year and had a monster month of August. He is an option if Kelly Johnson falters but the fact that he's a late bloomer (29) is a red flag. Did not quite play enough at third (19 games) or in the outfield (16 games) to be eligible there.